Newspaper tube



Sept. 12, 1939. w. H. MATTHA. 2,112,742

NEWSPAPER TUBE Filed Jan. 2s, 1939 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFIC NEWSPAPER TUBE William Howard Matthai, toV Homeland Mfg. Co.

Maryland v Application January 28, 1939, Serial No. 253,395

on the usual upright..

supporting, or attaching means,

The invention has as an object to provide a which can be connected or attached to the tube at different points successively in case the weakened, or deflected at attachment, and, particularly, to

porting means, or

tached, which gives increased rigi tube becomes the original point of provide a supbracket whereby the tube is atdity and resistance to rough treatment when in use.

A further object is the pro-visio or attaching means, which in the n of a support, preferred form is completely separable and removable from the tube, leaving the outer surface of the tube unobstructed for painting and re-painting.

The invention further provides an improved bracket, or support, for attaching upright, or post, which bracket,

may have an elongated, surface tot in a groove post; and the tube may bump, or boss, to be seated in the edges of the post in accordance ing practice.

the tube to the or attachment,

relatively narrow flat in the usual T shaped also be provided with a usual scalloped with the exist- The bracket, or support, by virtue of the improvement, has the does not extend above or below permits a plurality of tubes tob post, one above the other, in clos effecting a considerable economy further advantage that it the tube, and e clamped to a e contact, thus of space where several tubes are mounted on a single post, and

increasing the numb-er of tubes mounted upon one post within a which can be predetermined vertical dimensionthe height of each tube, on

its post, being an upon the efliciency of the newspapers to the boxes.

important element, in its effect distribution of the The support, or bracket, of the invention includes a base plate which, in cooperation with the clamping means, prevents both wise motion of the tube relatively avoids the difliculty incident brackets at present in use, in that loose at the clamp whereby the rocking and sideto the post, and

to the spot-Welded it does not pull previous tubes have been detached from the brackets, mutilated,

and rendered unfit for further use.

A frequently important feature of the present device is the ease and convenience which which it can be repaired, and the fact that it is susceptible to repeated repairs which may be necessitated in a long term of use by the extremely rough treatment to which Vsuch tubes are subjected, such re pairs being ac- Garrison, Md., assignor Inc., a corporation of complished on account of the novel construction, cheaply, quickly, and without loss of efficiency.

In the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated a rural route newspaper tube and bracket for attaching atube to the post, embodying the features of the invention in the preferred form.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tube, vthe bracket and the post in their assembled relation, the post being in the foreground. Y

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the bracket and post, the tube being shown fragmentarily.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section looking to the left Fig. 1, and taken on the line 4 4 in Fig, l'. Referring to the drawing by numerals, the box, or tube, I is of the usual cylindrical type, closed at one end by an end wall 2 and open at the other end at 3 for the admission of the papers. This box, or tube, may be supported upon any suitable upright 4 a conventional metal post, in general use for this purpose, being shown. This post, in the form illustrated, is of T-shaped cross section, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the crossarm 32 of the T having a narrow channel 5 extending longitudinally of the post and disposed oppositely to the shank 6 of the T, which constitutes a web. The cross-section of the rail is of conventional design and the details are relatively unimportant and capable -of variation.

In the form of post shown, the sides 8 ofthe channel 5 are scalloped at 9 to facilitate the and cut olf in suitable lengths, the scallops ordinarily extend the entire length of the post, although they are of no particular advantage except as to the portion of the post relatively near the top; in other words, the cross section'is for purposes of production, most conveniently uniform throughout the length of the post.

The important feature of the invention resides in the clamp, or bracket, indicated in a general way by reference character I0, and the relation of same to the tube I and the post, or upright 4.

The bracket, or clamping member in the formY of the invention shown comprises la base plate I2 of sheet metal, having the main'portion of its area, and particularly the edge portions I2. and I2" formed on an arc, concentric with the tube, or box, which is preferably of ,circular cross section, the plate being adapted to conform exactly to the outer surface` I4, the arcuate contour of the plate being preferably of substantially the same radius as the box, or tube I, or, its radius may be reduced to increase the clamping effect.

In the preferred form of the invention shown, the edge portions I2' and I2 extend over an arc of about 150 to 160, though the extent of the plate within reasonable limits, approximately 180 is not an element of the invention, and while the arcuate formation of the plate has been described as relating to the areas I2 and l2" at each side of the channel 5, the end areas I5 and I5 between the ends of the side areas I2 and l2 are also shown as formed on the same arc.

An important feature of the base plate is that it is deflected outwardly as to its central portion, to form a raised fiat surface I6 which, in width, conforms to the channel 5 being adapted to t closely therein. This flat surface is elongated in the direction of a tangent at the centre of the arcuate surface I2 and I2, but in the form of the invention shown, this flat surface I6 is spaced outwardly from the arcuate portions of the plate, and preferably the side walls Il and Il and of the raised portion I8 and I8 are inclined outwardly, i. e. they are or diverge from the fiat surface I6 toward the arcuate portions I2 and I2", I5 and I5. of the plate I2. The plate I2 is most conveniently formed by pressing and this divergence of the walls contributes to the relatively easy deflection of the plate, and the free withdrawal of the pressing die.

The plate I2 which bears as to its edge portions on the outer surface of the tube IV and as to the elongated surface I lits in the channel 5 cooperates with additional clamping elements comprising a U or V-shaped strap 2U and an inverted U-shaped bolt 2i. The plate I2 is punched near the centre of its arcuate length, and at each side of the centre of its width in the direction of the axis, forming two holes 22 and 2d spaced by the width. of the post 6l, and particularly its cross arm 5 and of a size to admit the U-shaped bolt 2l, which, as illustrated, is threaded at each end to engage nuts 25. I2l is bumpedf outwardly in the direction of its radius at 2B, the bumping being shown as substantially arcuate, about an axis parallel to the axis of the tube, the axis of the bump or boss 26, being substantially the axis of the cross-arm 2l of the LJ-shaped bolt 2I, said cross arm being shown as of circular cross section (Figure 4) The bump, or boss 26 is also of a radius which adapts it to t in the scallops or flutes 9 of the post 4, when the ends, or legs of the. U-shaped bolt 2| are passed through the holes 22 and 2L!Y respectively, the cross arm 21 of said bolt rests in the groove, or channel, formed by the inside of the bump, or boss 26. The said ends 2| are,

adapted to be passed through suitable holes 29 formed in the flattened end of the U-shaped strap 20. This strap, which is either V-shaped, or U-shaped, is passed around the outer bead 'I of the post 4, and its legs 4' being deflected outwardly, are shown as bearing at 38 on the' edges of the cross arm 320i the T cross-section of the post 4 which is properly termed a flange,

and the ends 3l of the U-strap 2D are deflected,

as already suggested, into a plane parallel to the cross arm 320i the T.

'To assemble the tube and clamp and post, the

tube I is punched with two holes 33 and 33 spaced by a distance equal to the spacing of the ends 2l of the U-bolt 2I, said holes being arranged in a line parallel to the axis of the tube. The ends 2 I of the U-bolt 2I are then passed out- Between the holes 22 and 24 the plate..

wardly from the inside of the tube through these holes 33 and 33 in the side wall of the tube, and through the holes 22 and 2li in the plate I2, and finally, the strap 20 being placed astride of the bead I the ends of the bolt 2I are passed through the holes 29 therein, and the nuts 25 are threaded on the ends 2l of bolt 2|, the bump, or boss 26 being seated in one of the flutes, or scallops 9 located at the desired height of the centre of the tube, the nuts 2I are tightened, preferably to a moderate extent, whereby the side wall of the tube is deflected at 34 into the groove formed on the inside of the bump, or boss 26 whereby the tube, or box, is held rigidly upon the upright, or post d in the desired position, i. e. at the desired elevation. It will be noted that in case the tube should become defaced, or partially detached by extremely rough usage, it can be newly clamped, giving the original rigidity and secured by merely forming the holes 33 and 33 in a new position, giving a new clamping area, and a new attachment. In re-attaching the tube in this way, it is desirable to rotate it in such a direction that the used holes which have been abandoned, are turned downwardly so that the top of the tube does not become perforated, admitting moisture.

A further advantage of the invention is that welding, riveting and the like for attachment to the post is avoided, the method of attachment, according to the invention, making it possible to use and repair the tube at a small cost, whereas the riveted and welded attachments are so expensive to repair that it is, ordinarily, found cheaper to provide a new tube when repairs are necessary.

It is of further advantage that the improved clamping bracket holds the tube with the highest degree of rigidity, with but a relatively slight tension of the bolt 2i and that it withstands extremely rough use without becoming rickety, or being bent or deected. It is also of advantage that the manner of clamping provides a bump, or boss, on the side of the tube in each new clamping position, giving increased security, and that the elongated flat surface I6 which is integral with the plate, fits in the channel 5 and cooperates with the U-shaped bolt, and with the strap 2B to provide an extremely rigid support for the tube on the post, and it is a further advantage that the clamping attachment, being in horizontal alignment with the axis of the tube, permits the close grouping of a number of tubes on a single post, at a convenient height, whereas the brackets previously in use extend -downwardly from the bottom of the tube, and thus require a relatively wide spacing of the tubes, and a wide displacement of some tubes from the convenient level where several are on one post.

It is also of advantage that the plate I2 being not only curved in an arcuate plane to iit the outside of the tube is also punched out to form the flat surface i6 to t in the channel 5. The two elements of the plate, one cooperating with the post and' the other with the tube, thus being integral, afford an exceedingly rigid support with a comparatively slight clamping tension, having great advantage in the matter of permanence and rigidity over the spot-welded and riveted attachment thus produced.

I have thus described a rural route newspaper tube, supporting bracket and clamp embodying the features of my invention in the preferred form, the description being specic and in detail in order that the manner of constructing, operatthe tube in rigid engagement ing, applying and using the invention `may be clearly understood; however, the specic terms herein are used descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being dened in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising a tubular container, an upright post having a channel with its opposite edges correspondingly indented, a freely separable plate, formed on an arc to t the outer surface of the tube when located with its axis at right angles to the post, the plate having an outwardly d'eected portion adapted to t the channel, and a boss adapted to engage corresponding indentations on the opposite sides of the channel, the boss presenting an open groove toward the surface of the tube, a U-shaped bolt located with the cross arm of the U inside the tube, and registering with said groove, the legs of the U extending outwardly hrough the walls of the tube which are apertured for this purpose on each side of said' post, a strap encompassing the post oppositely to the tube, and having at its ends apertures adapted to register with apertures in the plate and tube, the ends of the U-shaped bolt extending through said registering apertures, and take-up means on the ends of the bolt by which tension is applied to the same deilecting a. portion of the tube into said groove, and in combination withfsaid plate and strap, holding the tube in rigid engagement with the post.

2. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising a tubular container, an upright post having a channel, a plate formed on an arc to fit the outer surface of the tube when located with its axis at right angles to the post, the plate having a deected portion adapted to be seated in the channel, a U-shaped bolt located with the cross arm of the U inside the tube and spanning the post, the legs of the U extending outwardly through the walls of the tube which are apertured for this purpose, and on each side of the post, a strap encompassing the post oppositely to the tube, and having at its ends apertures adapted' to register with the apertures in the tube, the ends of the U-shaped bolt being passed through said registering apertures, and take-up means on the ends of the bolt by which tension is applied to the same, the bolt, in combination with said plate and strap, holding the tube in rigid engagement with the post.

3. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising a tubular container, an upright post having a channel, a plate formed on an arc to t the outer surface of the tube when located with its axis at right angles to the post, the plate having a deected portion adapted to be seated in the channel, a U-shaped bolt located with the cross arm of the U inside the tube and spanning the post, the legs of the U extending outwardly through the walls of the tube which are apertured for this purpose, and on each side of said post, a strap encompassing the post oppositely to the tube, and having at its ends apertures adapted to register with the apertures in the tube, and the ends of the U-shaped bolt being passed through said registering apertures, and take-up means on the ends of the bolt by which tension is applied to the same, the bolt, in combination with said plate and strap, holding with the post, the side walls of the channel being flared outwardly toward the tube, and the corresponding side Walls of the defiected portion being correspondingly flared to give a Wedging action of the deflected portion in the channel.

4. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising al tubular container, an upright post having a channel, a freely separable, concavelyformed plate to fit the outer surface of the tube when located with its axis at right angles to the post, the plate having a deected portion adapted to t the channel, a U-shaped bolt located with the cross arm of the U inside the tube and spanning the post, the legs of the U extending outwardly through the walls of the tube which are apertured for this purpose on each side of said post, a strap encompassing the post oppositely to the tube, and having at its ends apertures adapted to register with apertures in the tube, the plate being similarly apertured, and the end's of the U-shaped bolt being passed through said registering apertures, take-up means on the ends of the bolt by which tension is applied to the same, and in combination with said plate and strap, holding the tube in rigid engagement with the post, the deiiected portion having a narrow elongated flat'surface to engage the bottom of the channel, said surface being parallel to a line tangent to the arcuate plate substantially at the centre and spaced outwardly therefrom.

5. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising an upright post, clamping means for securing the tube to the post at right angles to the post, said clamping means being freely separable frorn both members, said clamping means comprising a freely separable plate which is concave toward the tube and adapted to t the outside wall of the same, said plate having a raised elongated rectilinear central portion transverse to the axis of the tube and adapted to engage the post, a U-shaped bolt adapted to span the post, the cross arm of the U overlying the inner wall of the tube, which is apertured to pass the legs ofthe U, a strap member spanning the post opposite to the tube and the cross arm of the U, said strap member being apertured to receive the ends of said legs, and take-up members for the ends of said legs whereby the tube is drawn into close contact with the plate, and the plate and strap are drawn into correspondingly close contact with the opposite sides of the post.

6. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising an upright post, clamping means for securing the tube to the post, at right angles to the post, said clamping means being freely separable from both members, said clamping means comprising a plate which is concave toward the tube and adapted to t the outside wall of the same, said plate having a raised elongated central portion, transverse to the length of the tube and adapted to engage an outer wall of the post, attaching means extending outwardly through the tube wall on each side of the post, the tube being apertured to pass the attaching means, a strap member spanning the post opposite to the tube, and take-up members for the attaching means supported on the ends of said strap member whereby the tube is drawn into close contact with the plate and the plate and the strap are drawn into correspondingly close contact with the opposite sides of the post.

7. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising a tube, an upright post, clamping means for securing the tube to the post, at right angles to the post, said clamping means being freely separable from both members, said clamping means comprising a plate which is concave toward the tube and adapted to lt the outside Wall of the same, said plate having. a raised elongated central portion, transverse to the length of' the tube and adapted to engage anouter Wall of the post, attaching means extending outwardly through the tube wall on each side of the post, the tube being apertured to pass the attaching means, a strap member spanning the post opposite to the tube, and take-up members for the attaching means supported on the ends of said strap member whereby the tube is `drawn into close contact with the plate and the plate and the strap are drawn into correspondingly close contact with the opposite sides of the post, the post being channeled to receive the raised portion of the plate.

8. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising an upright post, clamping means for securing the tube to the post at right angles to the post, said clamping means being freely separable from both members, the clamping means comprising a freely separable plate which is concave toward the tube and adapted to t the outside wall of the same, said plate having a raised elongated rectilinear central portion, transverse to the axis of the tube and adapted to engage the post, a U-shaped bolt adapted to span the post, the cross arm of the U overlying the inner wall of the tube, which is apertured to pass the legs oi the U, a strap member spanning the post opposite to the tube and the cross arm of they U,v said strap member being apertured to receive the ends of said legs, and take-up members for the ends of said legs whereby the tube is drawn into close contact with the plate, and the plate and strap are drawn into correspondngly close contact with the opposite sides of the post, said clamping means being substantially symmetrical about a horizontal plane of the axis of the tube.

9. A rural route newspaper tube assembly comprising a tube, an upright post, clamping means for securing the tube to the post at right angles to the post, a portion of said clamping means being freely separable from both members, said clamping means comprising a raised elongated central portion extending outwardly from the plane of the outer surface of the tube, transverse to the length of the tube and adapted to engage an outer wall of the post, attaching means extending outwardly through the tube wall on each side of the post, the tube being apertured to pass the attaching means, a strap member spanning the post opposite to the tube, and take-up members for the attaching means supported on the ends of said strap member, whereby the tube, raised elongated central portion, and strap are drawn into correspondingly close contact hwith the opposite sides of the post, the post being channeled to receive the raised elongated central portion.

' WILLIAM HOWARD MATTI-IAI. 

